UPDATE: Win for Faith-Based Adoption Agencies in Virginia

It's a tremendous victory for religious liberty. Last week, we told you about a proposed regulation by the Virginia Department of Social Services that would force faith-based adoption placement agencies to either violate the tenets of their faith or forfeit their licenses. The proposed regulation would prohibit Virginia adoption agencies from making decisions regarding prospective parents on the basis of religion, sexual orientation, or family status. We submitted our concerns to the agency - outlining the legal and public policy flaws with the proposed regulation. Our public comment, posted here, was clear: the proposed regulation would jeopardize the best interests of children in pursuit of a political agenda by forcing religiously affiliated adoption agencies to close their doors or compromise their standards and principles. The regulation is entirely unnecessary, as married couples or individuals desiring to adopt a child have ample opportunity to do so without any need to tra... Continue Reading

Filed in: US Constitution | by Jay Sekulow | 12:00 AM Apr. 13, 2011

Virginia Must Protect Faith-Based Adoption Agencies

It's an issue that's getting a lot of attention in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We have submitted public comments opposing a regulation proposed by the Virginia Department of Social Services that would force faith-based adoption placement agencies to either violate the tenets of their faith or forfeit their licenses. The proposed regulation, 22 VAC 40-131-170(B), would prohibit Virginia adoption agencies from making decisions regarding prospective parents on the basis of religion, sexual orientation, or family status. Our comments explain that this proposal would jeopardize the best interests of children in pursuit of a political agenda by forcing religiously affiliated adoption agencies to close their doors or compromise their standards and principles. The regulation is entirely unnecessary, as married couples or individuals desiring to adopt a child have ample opportunity to do so without any need to trample upon the religious freedom of faith-based adoption agencies. We provided se... Continue Reading